Updated December 30^th 2003

"The Milwaukee Road in Idaho - A Guide to Sites and Locations" by Stan Johnson, 2nd edition published 2003 by the Museum of North Idaho, PO Box 812, Coeur d'Alene, ID. 83816-0812. Be sure not to miss the maps at the end of the book. The book has an easy to use index that cross-references just about everything. A must-have companion for the traveler, historian and Milwaukee Road enthusiast.

Also, the Delorme Atlas for Idaho is indispensable. As mentioned, these Atlases have errors in them, but worth their weight in gold nevertheless. Personally I find the paper editions better than the CD ROM version.

We left off at East Portal on Cliff Creek Road (Exit 5 on I-90) in Montana. Climbing for about 2 miles to get to East Portal. This is now a parking lot and trailhead for the "Hiawatha Trail". As of summer 2002 everything Milwaukee Road has been removed. Since June 2001 you can hike or bike through St. Paul's Pass (Taft) Tunnel and emerge in Idaho on the other side. You can bike from East Portal all the way to Pearson, a day pass, helmet and lights are required. You can rent bikes in Kellogg (access via Wallace to Pearson) or Lookout Pass (for access to East Portal). Click for Ski Lookout's Website for more information and on recreational activities in this area.. There is a shuttle running from Pearson back to the Moss Creek trailhead to get you back up the hill.

Driving past East Portal up a steep grade, there is an breathtaking overview right above the tunnel portal. Just a bit further is Roland Pass and the Idaho-Montana border. A 2 mile descent on FSR #506 gets us to what once was the east end of Roland siding and only a short distance from the west portal of Taft Tunnel #20 (also known as St. Paul's Pass Tunnel). This is also the Roland Trailhead.

The US Forestry Service out of Avery did a great job putting this trail in, now known as the "The Route of the Hiawatha". They consulted with numerous experts on the Milwaukee Road, including MilWest to ascertain accuracy. There are many informative displays and signs along the way, the construction of which resembles Milwaukee Road design.

Leaving Roland and proceeding west, we pass through Tunnel #21. You can drive as far as Moss Creek, site of the huge (30000 cubic yards) washout of a few years ago which is also the other trailhead on top. You cannot proceed further on the grade by motorized vehicle, but can drop down into Loop Creek Valley on FR #506 until it meets up with FR #326 (Loop Creek Road). The view from here is indescribable. You can bike or hike the grade from the Moss Creek Trailhead, around the entire loop for a total distance of 11 Miles to the Pearson Trailhead. This will take you through Tunnel #22 (of great historical significance-this is where a train took all the people during the August 1910 fire), around tunnel #23 (closed by instability caused by an earthquake), and right up to Pearson (tunnel #29). In the course you will traverse the Barnes Creek, Kelly Creek, Turkey Creek, Clear Creek and other trestles, many with remaining catenary supports (gallows).

"Silver Country" Tourist Services at 1-888-326-4611 in Wallace, Idaho provide a service where you can rent mountain bikes at Wallace or Lookout Pass, drive in to the Pearson Trailhead, from where they provide a shuttle to take you to either the Moss Creek or Roland Trailheads. All you "Flatlanders", if you want to see what the Milwaukee Road was all about, if there is nothing else you ever do or see, this is it. I'm prejudiced! See above pictures. A Trail map of the "Route of the Hiawatha" which is what the USFS named it. In September '99, my friend and I made the bike trip. Click for a picture.

From Pearson onward, you can again use your vehicle on FR #456, all built on the grade of the Milw Rd. Tunnels #30 through #36 will take you right into Avery, with trestles over Big Dick Creek, Squaw Creek and the North Fork of the St. Joe River. Bring loads of film!

At Avery the old station remains, now used as a small community center and museum along with numerous other remaining company structures. The local citizens have managed to get it on the National Historic Register List. It is just now being placed on a new foundation.

Highway 50, west of Avery is now located on the grade for about the first 15 miles before crossing over to the old highway location. After that, the grade can be easily seen in numerous locations, as well as accessed here and there, notably at Calder. Calder has installed old ABS signals at the turn-off in both directions on the highway, so it will be difficult to miss.

Next point west is St. Maries where the St. Maries River Railroad has taken over a good portion of the log traffic the Milwaukee handled here at one time. It is well worth a lengthy stop as the station is in good repair, as well as a home-built snowplow which alone is worth the stop. All the five engines in use by the St. Maries River Railroad - 3 GP-9s and 2 SW-1200s are of Milwaukee Road heritage.(See Fred Hyde's list) A rib-side caboose (No 996) is in daily service as well as the log flats used, all 400, came from the Milwaukee Road. As an aside, my friend and sometimes partner, has included the St. Maries operation in one of his videos. (You will find this on my Railway Videos Homepage, click on Rick's Caboose Videos and go to Volume 3).

West of St. Maries the long trestle across Lake Benewah is still in use, but somewhat difficult to photograph due to trees and vegetation. A little hike will circumvent this.

Plummer Jct. is still in use as well, and is easily recognizable from the many pictures we have all seen. It is also included in my friend's video.